BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans say 'great to see' as JB Gill back by special guests in 'redemption' series

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left delighted when they saw just who was backing JB Gill in the ballroom during his latest performance alongside professional dance partner Amy Dowden.

It was a big week in the world of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (October 5) as week three of this year's competition became the annual Movie Week special.

The live show saw the remaining couples, which had dropped from 14 to 13 following Nick Knowles' withdrawal due to injury, channel their inner film stars as they performed routines with songs from the likes of George of the Jungle, Harry Potter, Dreamgirls and Rocketman.

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The show opened with a group number from the show's professional dancers who transformed into minions from the Despicable Me franchise while Kai Widdrington, who was left without a celebrity dance partner this year, appeared as the film’s villain, Gru, donning a bald head and a prosthetic nose.

During the show, Strictly fans saw JLS star JB and Welsh dancer Amy perform the American Smooth to the song Pure Imagination from last year's Wonka movie, scoring 32 out of a possible 40 points.

But those tuning in couldn't help but spot some familiar faces in the audience supporting JB's latest efforts as his JLS bandmates Aston Merrygold and Marvin Humes were on the sidelines alongside their wives Sarah Merrygold and Rochelle Humes.

One said: "Marvin and Aston cheering on JB #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing." Another commented: "Great to see Marvin and Aston supporting JB #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing." @nicole_xjade noted: "Aston and Marvin in the audience #Strictly." @thequalmpeddler added: "Absolutely brilliant from JB. And he has Marv and Aston (and Roch) for support as well. 8. #SCD #strictly."

Strictly fans will remember that Aston took part in the show in 2017 alongside Janette Manrara but was controversially voted off in week seven, and now he's pushing for JB to lift the Glitterball Trophy this year as part of his own "redemption".

JB said on the Mirror's 'Invite Only' podcast: "Aston knows Amy, so he said to me: 'Look, you've got a great dancer, just keep working hard.' He was not happy with the scores last week - he told me I was undermarked.

"Because his exit was a shock, he wants redemption now - he wants me to go all the way this year. But Amy and I are just putting one step in front of another, we're taking one week, one dance, and one step at a time."

"For me, I've watched Amy on the show, so I knew she was an incredibly talented dancer. What I didn't know until now was how great she is as a teacher. I feel very honoured to be dancing with her."